I use hydroton and lov it. This stuff dries out incredibly fast. My hydro setup is using coffee (plastic tubs) filled with hydroton. Looks like .75gal each. The rocks do stay wet for more than a day, and I quit watering a big one altogether. The biggun didnt show drooping for about 60hrs. I wouldnt see why you couldnt, as long as your temps and air flo dont dry it too fast. Have you watered a bucket with no plant in it, and seen how long it takes to dry? I just dont trust myself to remember to water everyday. I aint riskin' a $300 with my memory. Perhaps you can spend about $60 and turn your methods into a self watering hydro setup?
Anyhow, most ppl water 2-4 times daily in a ponics setup with hydroton. Mines setup to water 4 times daily now they are flowering big. Of course, maybe once a day is enough.
Flooding and draining, so you dont have to leave the roots to soak. To water, you could always lower you pots into a tub with nutes. It'd drain when you remove it. same theory as my setup, just man powered not timers and pumps.
